Improvement in straw-cutters



R. N. BOREN.

SHAW-GUTTER.

N,.1'78,102.= 'Patented May 30,1876.

ATTORI" EY INVENTOR N PErERs, PnoToJLnuoGnAPusn. wAsmNaToN. 0.6

'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUFUS N. BOREN, OF MARIETTA, MISSISSIPPI.`

' IMPROVEMENT llN STRAW-CUTTERS.

Specification forming part .of Letters Patent No. 178,102, dated 30, 1876; application led March 11, 1876. A

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RUFUS N. BoRnN, of Marietta, in the county of Prentiss and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Feed-Cutters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the-same, reference being had tothe annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of an end View of my improved feed-cutter, showing the sash and knife; and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section thereof, showing the guard and the knif'e engaged between the plates b and H.

This invention has relation to improvements in feed-cutters wherein are employed a reciprocating sash carrying a cutter-blade, and operated by a lever to divide the feed into lengths and the nature of the invention consists in the arrangement and novel construction of the various devices used, whereby very importantresults are obtained, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In the annexed drawings, the letter A designates a preferably inclined hopper, supported upon legs B B. C represents a sash, of suitable construction, which is vertically movable in ways a on the inner faces of two upirights, D D', at the eduction end of the hopper, and is provided Witha cutting-blade, E, inclined to produce a draw-cut when it is thrust down past a preferably steel plate, I), upon the edge of the said hopper. F represents a vertically-vibrating lever,'fulcrumed at c in a slot, d, in upright D, and-extending through a slot, d', in the other upright D. This lever is connected by means of a pitman, G, with sash C, above described, and when it is operated will impart a vertically-reciprocating movement to thesaid sash, thereby thrusting the bladepast plate b, and raising it up therefrom. During such operation lever F, being fulcrumed in slot d and Working in slot d', will be accurately guided during its vibration s, and held against lateral displacement,'and, being connected by a pitman With the sash, the reciprocations of the latter will be strictly vertical, and attended with the least possible friction, thus obtaining from the lever its full power. H represents a second metallic plate, upon the same level as plate b, and separated therefrom by an interval equal to the thickness of the cutter-blade. The feed to be cut will lie across this interval, and will be accurately divided when the blade is thrust down into the same, the effect of the outer plate being to prevent the jamming of straw, hay, or fodder between the cutter and plate b, which frequently occurs vin damp weather, or when the feed is not thoroughly dry, in other machines. PlateH is secured upon the upper edge of a board, K, arranged between the legs B of the hopper, the ends of the said plate being bent down into spaces g cut in the vertical edges of the said board to allow the side rails h of the sash free movement up and down, thus serving the double purpose of positively holding the plate against all displacement, and guiding the sash i'n its downward I represents a gage,vsecured movements. across sash G, and designed to secure the division of the feed into equal lengths. When the blade comes in contact with the feed, this gage will be above the level of the bottom of the hopper and the blades b H, and the length of the cut will be regulated thereby. J represents an inclined guard, arranged in grooves in the sides of the hopper, beneath which the feed is passed to the knife. This guard is designed to prevent the hand of the operator from getting under the knife, and is vertically adjustable, for the purpose of providing for .the passage under the same of bundles of feed of various thicknesses, the desired adjustment being maintained by means of a set-screw, S, passing through the side of thehopper against the end of the guard.

In order to provide for the removal of the sash to sharpen the knife E, the cross-piece L connecting the upper ends of uprights DVD will be hinged to the former, the necessary bracing of the said uprights being secured by means of va hook, l, and an eye, m, respectively, on the upright D and the free end of crosspiece L. It' this cross-piece bethrown up, and pin c removed, the sash and lever F may be drawn bodily out of their respective places, and the removal or sharpening of the knife readily accomplished.

What I claim as new, anddesire to secure -by Letters Patent, is-

:In testimony .that I claim the Kabove I have hereunto-fsuinscribed myname infthe presence of two Witnesses.

1 RUFUS NORTEN BOREN.

Witnesses:

I. S. BOREN, O. P. WALTON. 

